Living with epilepsy impacts your quality of life. But what if there was something you could do to reduce the number of seizures you experienced by eliminating a trigger…STRESS. While conventional medicine has long recognized stress as a potential trigger for seizures, the realm of functional medicine offers a deeper exploration, delving into the interconnected web of factors that contribute to stress-induced epilepsy.
In this blog, we will uncover how functional medicine can be used to better understand the relationship between stress and seizures, uncover potential root causes, and unveil holistic strategies to empower those living with epilepsy.
Understanding Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent and unprovoked seizures, which are abnormal electrical discharges in the brain. These seizures can manifest in various forms, from momentary lapses of awareness to convulsions and loss of consciousness.
While genetics and brain injuries are often considered the primary contributors, emerging research within functional medicine highlights the significance of stress as both a trigger and a potential underlying cause of epilepsy.
The Stress-Epilepsy Connection
Functional medicine recognizes the interplay between the brain and the body, where stress becomes a powerful catalyst for neurological imbalances.
Stress, when left unmanaged and allowed to escalate into a persistent state of anxiety, can serve as a potent catalyst for the occurrence of epilepsy seizures.
While stress is a natural response to challenges, ongoing anxiety or anxiety without an apparent cause can potentially disrupt the delicate equilibrium of brain activity, setting the stage for seizures to unfold.
The mechanisms through which stress contributes to epilepsy is a bit complex. Stress triggers the release of hormones, most notably cortisol, which can have a profound impact on the brain’s functioning. These stress hormones can influence neurotransmitters, which are the messengers of communication between nerve cells. This balance of neurotransmitters is crucial for maintaining stable brain activity, and any disruption can potentially lead to abnormal electrical discharges that underlie seizures.
It’s intriguing to note that the regions of the brain responsible for regulating emotions and processing stress responses can overlap with the areas from which seizures originate.
This is particularly evident in the limbic system, a complex network deeply involved in our emotional experiences. When stress evolves into chronic anxiety, the same neural pathways and regions involved in emotional regulation can become hyperactive or dysregulated. This increased excitability can create an environment conducive to the initiation and propagation of abnormal electrical discharges that manifest as seizures.
The brain’s plasticity, its remarkable ability to adapt and rewire itself, can also play a role. The stress-induced changes in neural circuitry can influence the brain’s susceptibility to abnormal electrical activity, potentially triggering epileptic episodes.
Unveiling the Root Causes of Stress-Induced Seizures
Functional medicine goes beyond surface-level understanding, delving deep into the intricate web of factors that contribute to stress-induced seizures. By uncovering the root causes, this approach offers a holistic perspective that opens the door to effective management and prevention.
Neuroinflammation
Persistent stress can trigger a process in the brain known as neuroinflammation, which can be thought of as an internal disturbance. This inflammation disrupts the intricate conversations between brain cells, creating an environment that’s more susceptible to seizures.
When this finely tuned network of communication in the brain gets disrupted, it becomes more prone to irregular electrical discharges, which are the basis of seizure episodes.
Functional medicine recognizes that to prevent stress-induced seizures, it’s essential to address chronic stress and reduce brain inflammation. This approach is critical for maintaining neurological stability and reducing the risk of seizures caused by stress.
Gut-Brain Axis
The connection between our stomach and our brain is super important when it comes to stress-related epilepsy. When there’s an upset in the balance of the good and bad bacteria in our stomach (we call this “dysbiosis”), it can start a chain reaction that goes all the way up to our brain.
This stomach upset can cause inflammation, which is like a kind of swelling that spreads through our body and messes up how our brain works. It makes our brain more likely to have seizures.
Functional medicine steps in to help fix the balance of bacteria in our stomach. They use things like probiotics (good bacteria), prebiotics (food for good bacteria), and special plans to heal underlying gut infections. This can help calm down the inflammation and reduce the chances of having seizures.
Nutrient Deficiencies
Sustained stress has a significant impact on our body’s nutrient balance, leading to a depletion of vital substances. Among these nutrients, magnesium is particularly important for maintaining our brain’s proper functioning. Additionally, B vitamins, which play a crucial role in the creation and regulation of brain chemicals, can be in short supply when stress is chronic.
When we lack these essential nutrients, it weakens the intricate network of communication within our brain. This weakening may make it easier for seizures to occur.
Functional medicine takes a precise approach by identifying which nutrients are lacking through functional lab testing and then customizes a treatment protocol through specific supplements and dietary changes. This strategy helps replenish nutrient levels and reduce the risk of stress-related seizures by promoting a healthier brain environment.
Hormonal Imbalances
When you’re under constant stress, it can mess up the balance of hormones in your body, causing problems in your brain. These hormones make sure everything runs smoothly. When they get out of balance, it can make your brain more prone to having seizures.
One of these hormones, called cortisol, is a big player in stress. When cortisol stays high for a long time, it can mess up the way your brain’s messengers work. Functional medicine aims to fix this by helping you manage stress, making changes in your diet, and adjusting your lifestyle to keep your brain and hormones working together smoothly. This can help create a stable and healthy environment in your body.
Mitochondrial Dysfunction
Stress-triggered seizures become even more complex when we consider how stress affects our cell’s powerhouses, known as mitochondria. These structures are crucial for generating energy within our cells. When stress is prolonged, it can disrupt the functioning of our mitochondria, resulting in a decrease in energy production within our brain cells.
This energy deficit weakens our brain’s ability to maintain its normal electrical activity, potentially increasing the likelihood of seizures.
Functional medicine addresses this challenge by promoting healthy mitochondrial function. It accomplishes this through dietary recommendations that include antioxidants and nutrients essential for energy production. This approach can help reduce the risk of seizures by ensuring that our brain has the energy it needs to function properly, even during stressful periods.
Functional Medicine Treatment for Stress Induced Seizures (Epilepsy)
Functional medicine, with its comprehensive and personalized approach, offers a spectrum of holistic strategies aimed at effectively managing stress-induced epilepsy. Recognizing the interplay between stress, neurological function, and overall well-being, functional medicine seeks to address the root causes of epilepsy while promoting a balanced and resilient body-mind ecosystem. Here are the key components of functional medicine treatment for stress-induced seizures:
Stress Management Techniques
Functional medicine recognizes the profound impact of stress on neurological health. Incorporating stress management techniques becomes pivotal. Mindfulness practices, meditation, yoga, and deep breathing exercises are invaluable tools that work to modulate stress hormone release, promote relaxation, and rewire the brain’s response to stressors. By cultivating a mind-body connection and enhancing emotional resilience, these techniques provide a protective shield against stress-induced seizure triggers.
Dietary Modifications
The significance of nutrition in managing stress-induced epilepsy cannot be overstated. Functional medicine advocates for anti-inflammatory diets rich in antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and nutrient-dense foods. These dietary choices support brain health, curb inflammation, and provide essential building blocks for optimal neurological function. Emphasizing a diverse array of colorful fruits and vegetables, incorporating lean proteins, and integrating sources of healthy fats contribute to a neurological environment that is less susceptible to seizure activity. When you work with Dr. Ahn, she will develop a personalized diet plan based on your unique health, functional lab results and health history.
Gut Health Optimization
Functional medicine recognizes the gut-brain connection. A balanced gut microbiome is essential for overall health, including neurological well-being. Probiotics and prebiotics play a role in nurturing a diverse and resilient microbial community, contributing to reduced inflammation and enhancing brain health. Gut-healing protocols further alleviate neuroinflammation, as they balance the bacteria and also address gut infections, parasites and more.
Nutritional Supplements
Personalized nutritional supplementation forms a cornerstone of functional medicine treatment for stress-induced epilepsy. Addressing potential nutrient deficiencies, such as magnesium, B vitamins, and antioxidants, supports optimal brain function. These supplements provide the foundation for a thriving neurological landscape, bolstering the brain’s resilience against stress-induced abnormalities in electrical activity. However, keep in mind that every individual is different. Based on your lab testing results, we will recommend certain supplements and doses to you.
Lifestyle Adjustments
Functional medicine focuses on holistic lifestyle adjustments in managing stress-induced seizures. Prioritizing quality sleep is essential for neurological restoration and hormonal balance. Regular physical activity not only supports overall health but also promotes the release of endorphins, which aid in stress regulation. Reducing exposure to environmental toxins, from both food and the environment, contributes to minimizing inflammation and protecting the neurological system.
Work with a Naturopathic & Functional Medicine Doctor in Connecticut
Functional medicine treatment for stress-induced epilepsy embodies a multifaceted approach that embraces the interconnectedness of mind, body, and environment. By engaging in stress management techniques, adopting a personalized diet, nurturing gut health, incorporating personalized supplementation, and making lifestyle adjustments, individuals can work to create an internal environment that is robust, resilient, and less prone to the triggers of stress-induced seizures.
Collaborating with a functional medicine doctor empowers individuals to embark on a transformative journey toward neurological balance and overall well-being.
Book a call with Connecticut’s Naturopathic and Functional Medicine Doctor, Dr. Jamie Ahn, today to make an appointment at our Norwalk office.
